- absent without leave; absent from one's post or duty without official permission but without intending to desert
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
AWOL /pronounced as initials, or as ˈeɪwɔl, ˈeɪwɑl/USA pronunciation
adj.
adv.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Militaryabsent without leave;
away from military duties without permission, but without the intention of deserting.
adv.
- Militaryinto AWOL status:He's gone AWOL.
n. [countable]
- Militarya soldier who is AWOL.
AWOL
(pronounced as initials or ā′wôl, ā′wol),USA pronunciation adj., adv.
n.
- Militaryaway from military duties without permission, but without the intention of deserting.
n.
- Militarya soldier or other military person who is absent from duty without leave.
- Military go AWOL:
- to depart from military duty without leave.
- to absent oneself without explanation.
- A(bsent) west, western(ith)o(ut) Latin(eave) 1915–20
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
AWOL /ˈeɪwɒl/, A.W.O.L. adj
'AWOL' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):